Napoli chase key victory over PSG

Napoli will chase a key victory over Paris Saint-Germain when the teams meet in a UEFA Champions League Group C match at Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday, 6 November 2018, kick-off at 22h00 CAT.

The teams crossed swords in a thrilling clash at the Parc des Princes on October 24 in the last round of matches which ended in a 2-2 draw. Napoli twice led through Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens, but an own goal by Mario Rui and a last-gasp strike from Angel Di Maria ensured PSG claimed a share of the spoils.

It was a third European club clash between the teams and the Parisians remain unbeaten in the sequence. The Serie A club will hope to change all that in this game in Naples, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side in need of a win to ensure they keep up the pressure on group leaders Liverpool.

The Reds are expected to complete a ‘double’ over Red Star Belgrade when the teams meet in an earlier kick-off on Tuesday. This would see the English club up to nine points at the head of the table, while Napoli and PSG are in second and third on five and four points respectively.

The tactical battle between Ancelotti and his counterpart Thomas Tuchel is set to be one of the key facets of the game, with the veteran Italian counting on all his experience (he is a two-time Champions League winner as a manager) to counteract the creative and aggressive German, who has the tough task of leading PSG to the top of the ladder in Europe.

Both teams are in winning form as they head into the clash, with Napoli racking up a 5-1 Serie A win over Empoli on Friday night – featuring a hat-trick from Mertens, whose movement and dynamism will be a key part of their attack – while PSG saw goals from superstars Kylian Mbappe and Neymar as they overcame Lille 2-1 in Ligue 1.